Our Process: From Farm to Table

At Kopp’s Turkeys, we take great pride in the product that ultimately ends up on our customers’ dinner tables. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast in November or a flavorful turkey brat sizzling on the grill in the middle of July, every item that leaves our facility reflects our commitment to freshness, quality, and care.

After more than 90 years in business, we’ve learned a great deal about maintaining an efficient and responsible processing timeline. Every turkey we process begins its journey on farms across the Midwest. These farms are known not only for producing high-quality birds, but also for maintaining strong standards of animal care and stewardship.

The process begins when turkeys arrive at farms as day-old poults. At this stage, farmers focus on providing the right environment for healthy development, which includes plenty of food and water, clean bedding, proper ventilation, and carefully maintained heat sources. As the birds grow, they are moved into larger, well-ventilated barns that allow them the space they need to continue developing. Their feed is also adjusted over time to match their changing nutritional needs and support steady growth.

Once the birds reach the proper age and size, they are ready to be processed. One advantage we have at Kopp’s Turkeys is our dedicated transportation team. Our drivers work for us full-time and share our commitment to the humane and respectful handling of every bird. When turkeys are scheduled for processing, a Kopp’s driver travels to the farm, loads the birds, and returns the same day. This approach minimizes the amount of time the birds spend in transit and helps maintain their wellbeing.

Many of the turkeys we process are breeder hens that are brought in during their molting period. Molting is a natural annual process in which birds temporarily stop laying eggs and shed older feathers so new ones can grow in. During this time, it’s common to see feathers drifting from trailers along the highway; not because the birds are being mistreated, but simply because they are naturally shedding as part of this cycle.

When the turkeys arrive at our facility, they are brought inside and humanely processed according to strict industry regulations. Health inspectors are present throughout our operating hours to ensure that all current health, safety, and animal welfare standards are being followed.

After processing, the birds are cleaned by our skilled team of workers rather than automated machinery. This hands-on approach allows us to work with birds of varying sizes while maintaining direct control over the quality of each step. Once cleaned, the turkeys are chilled on ice until they reach the proper temperature.

From there, they move to our deboning line, where our team carefully separates the birds into individual cuts of meat. Wings, drums, breast meat, thighs, necks; every usable portion of the bird is utilized. Even the remaining bones are sent to animal food companies, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Once the meat is separated, it is boxed, labeled, and prepared for its next destination. Some products are packed into large containers and shipped fresh, while others are placed in our freezer for later distribution. From the moment the turkeys leave the farm to the time they are boxed or frozen, the entire process takes less than 24 hours. That speed and efficiency are a big part of what makes our turkey taste so fresh.

Throughout every stage of production, our team focuses on quality control and continuous improvement. The experience and dedication of our staff, combined with careful oversight at every step, ensure that the product you receive meets the standards we’ve upheld for generations.

In the end, all of this work leads to the same goal: providing a turkey product that we’re proud to serve and that you’ll be proud to share at your table. At Kopp’s Turkeys, we believe in our product wholeheartedly, and we’re confident you’ll taste the difference. Stop in today and experience the Kopp’s Turkeys difference for yourself.